Launch of the Donors Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems

Water resource management is one of the major issues of the 21st century. In order to address the challenges that impact freshwater ecosystems, the MAVA Foundation, Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation have decided to join forces to create the Donors Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE); an initiative dedicated to the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean: rivers, lakes, marshes, wetlands and peatlands.

In the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the partners signed the DIMFE agreement during the World Conservation Congress in Marseille on September 7th, 2021. This collaboration between donors will enable action to be taken in the Western Balkans and North Africa in particular.

Lynda Mansson, Director General of the MAVA Foundation, recalled that "freshwater ecosystems are essential to our health and survival, but they are critically underfunded. Freshwater ecosystems have been among MAVA’s priority topics for the past 27 years, and actions to preserve them are part of MAVA's legacy."

Mette Skov, President of the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, noted that "this is the first time that the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation teams up with fellow donor organizations in this way to work together toward a common goal. This type of structured coordination among donors seems to be the best way to ensure maximum impact from our funding."

Finally, Olivier Wenden, Vice President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation recalled that "water resource management is one of three priority areas of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. We are delighted to partner with MAVA and the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation to maximize our efforts to protect and restore these precious resources."

The first call for projects will be launched end of September on the websites of the three foundations.

Légende photo : HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Isabelle Hoffmann, member of the Foundation's Scientific and Technical Committee attended the signing of the partnership by Lynda Mansson, Director General of the MAVA Foundation, Olivier Wenden, Vice-President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Mette Skov, President of the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation. ©Axel Bastello - Palais Princier

About MAVA

MAVA is a Swiss family foundation. Its mission is to conserve biodiversity for the benefit of people and nature by funding, mobilising and strengthening its partners and the conservation community. The Foundation promotes the protection of nature, the sustainable management of natural resources, and the shift towards a global sustainable economy. Geographically, it focuses on the Mediterranean, coastal West Africa and Switzerland. For more information, visit https://mava-foundation.org/.

About the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation (AVJCF)

The Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation was established by the Danish master carpenter Aage V. Jensen, whose deep interest and concern about our natural world, wild animals and birds, is today reflected in the Foundation’s primary objectives: Nature conservation and wildlife protection with a special focus on Denmark and Greenland however also supporting nature projects in the Balkans, Africa and South America. The Foundation’s emphasis is on collaboration and developing comprehensive communication programmes that highlight the importance of protecting endangered wildlife and natural habitats to the public.

Through the acquisition of conservation areas, and through the participation in projects, the Foundation is committed to preserving, protecting and developing natural values. The goal is to give the public the opportunity to experience a rich and diverse nature – now and forever. For more information, visit https://avjcf.org/.